Marvin Nicholas Lorang, age 79, of Lismore, MN, died Friday, November 11, 2016 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. He was born December 2, 1936 in Lismore to John Jr. and Frances (Erdman) Lorang. Marv graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School in 1955. He served his country in the United States Air Force from December 1956 to December 1962.
Marv married Ruth Ann Hendel on August 10, 1963 in Adrian, MN. The couple lived in Minneapolis where Marv attended Northwest Television & Electronics Institute (now Dunwoody), graduating in 1964. Later, the couple moved to Lismore. Marv worked at L & S Electric in Luverne from 1964 until 1967. He then owned and operated Marv’s TV & Appliance from 1967 to 1979 as well as drove school bus. Marv then began working at Farmers Union Coop Oil in Lismore in 1978, retiring in 1998. Upon retirement, he maintained roads for Lismore Township from 1998 to 2010.
Marv was an active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lismore; Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight; Lismore American Legion Post #636; Lismore Fire & Rescue; and was a firearm safety instructor for many years. Life in his final years was made richer by the faithful companionship of his dog Sally. The highlight of his year was the annual family deer hunting trip to Wyoming. For more than 50 years, Marv carried on this tradition started by his dad. He also enjoyed storytelling, reminiscing about past shenanigans, reading the newspaper, coffee in his favorite mug, pickup rides through the countryside with Sally, teaching kids to water ski, fishing, traveling and attending his grandchildren’s events. Marv earned the nickname “MacGyver” for his love of tinkering and ability to fix anything.
Marv is survived by his wife, Ruth Lorang, Lismore; five children, Thomas (Molly) Lorang, Morton, MN; Kevin (Yigliola) Lorang, Minneapolis, MN; Susan (Todd) Roerig, Sioux City, IA; Lynn (Shawn) Dearey, Durango, CO; and Jean (Ivan) Vargas, Dell Rapids, SD; twelve grandchildren, Kaitlyn & Keegan Lorang; John Pierre Lorang; Noah, Isaac & Grace Roerig; Caleb & Asha Dearey; and Owen, Lucy, Phoebe & Hazel Vargas; and in-laws, Irma Lorang, Joan Wolf, Lyle Healy, Jim & Phyllis Hendel, Judy Hendel and Leo Hendel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Mary Cecelia Vargas on April 4, 2005; brother, Davey Lee Lorang; special aunt and uncle, Esther & Homer Loonan; and in-laws, Roman Wolf, Donna Healy, Robert Hendel and Joni Hendel.
Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Monday, with parish prayers at 7:30 pm, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lismore; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Tuesday at St. Anthony Catholic Church officiated by Fr. Andrew Beerman. Burial with full military honors provided by the Lismore American Legion will be in the St. Anthony Cemetery in Lismore. On-line condolences may be left at the Dingmann Funeral Home website.
